A federal lawmaker, Senator George Sekibo, has said the rescue of his wife from kidnappers after spending four days in captivity was more important to him than any electoral victory.

Sekibo, who is the member representing the Rivers East Senatorial District in the National Assembly, however said his victory at the re-run election in January this year was worthy of celebration. Unknown gunmen had abducted Mrs. Asime Sekibo on March 23, along the Obiri-Ikwerre axis of the East-West Road in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, two months after her husband won the re-run election.

Sekibo spoke during an inter-denominational thanksgiving service organised for him and his spouse at St. Martin's Anglican Church, Ogu in Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area of the state.

Meanwhile, Sekibo presented items to 600 beneficiaries under his constituency empowerment programme and said the growth and prosperity of the people in his constituency was the motivating factor for the scheme.

The lawmaker recalled that he was preparing for a thanksgiving in March for his victory at the re-run poll, but that his wife's abduction the same month altered his plan, expressing happiness that she was rescued unhurt.

Sekibo, who was earlier conferred with a chieftaincy title by his kinsmen, disclosed that those behind the kidnap of his wife had since been apprehended by security agents. "When the rerun election ended, we said we were going to thank God for the victory in March. It was during that time that my wife was kidnapped and released four days later."

"The rescue of my wife is more important than any electoral victory. It shows the importance of my loving wife. I know it is important to thank God for my victory during the re-run election. Today, I can say publicly that those who kidnapped my wife have been arrested," Sekibo said.

He expressed gratitude to security agents, whom, he said, did everything in their power, including sleeping in the bush, to ensure that his wife was rescued from her abductors unhurt.

Earlier in his sermon, the Anglican Bishop of Okirika Diocese, Rev. Tubokosemie Abere, charged youths to be diligent in their work and be law abiding, just as he implored them to emulate the virtues of Sekibo, whom he described as diligent and hard working.

On his constituency programme, Sekibo said it was inaugurated in 2005 with the award of bursary to 100 orphans in various post-secondary institutions and the provision of grants to 200 widows to enable them to establish viable small scale businesses.

Sekibo further said the scheme had systematically been reviewed to accommodate more persons, including non-indigenes in the senatorial district. The Items given to beneficiaries were power generating sets, computer sets, motorcycles and refrigerators.